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And while the P.M. winced through most of the official events for this year’s September Celebrations, he was present for both the flag raising and the official ceremony. Our cameras were there also and here are the highlights.

[Countdown to flag raising at Memorial Park: 10, 9, 8….6, 5…3, 2, 1]

And while the flags didn’t fly on the still, wet night the fireworks still did flare across the Belize harbour in a spectacular ten minute show.

[Highlights of fireworks]

Cut to the next morning in Belmopan where a massive tent sprawled across the stairs on Independence Hill and music from the Louisiana National Guard filled the plaza and set the tone for the arrival of the official guests, including the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister escorted by the Commander of the BDF followed by the Governor General who inspected the guard of honour.

Hon. Johnny Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
“On such an occasion it is tempting for those of us who are not a part of the government to highlight all the wrongs that have been taking place in our nation. But not on this day; today we pay tribute to our diverse origins, to our common aspirations, and together we celebrate our independence as Belizeans.”

And instead of the taking the road often taken, Briceno took a different tack, at least for a PUP leader, framing the events of the tenth September as the seed of nationalist movement.

Hon. Johnny Briceno,
“During the ceremonies on St. George’s Caye we were reminded that we are a resilient people whose ancestors chose to face insurmountable odds yet they stated and were ready to fight for what they believe was rightfully theirs. From this small band of patriots, we were given the desire to forge a nation which became Belize. This is what defines us as a people. This is what makes us proud Belizeans and this is what inspired George Price and those brave men and women who in the 50s believed that we were able to chart our own course and so determined that Belize would be an independent nation.”

And the Prime minister took a different tack as well – admitting that the economy is worse than ever.

Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“I wondered whether any of the anniversaries since that first glorious day found us in circumstances as difficult as the ones we face now. And it has been hard not to conclude that certainly in terms of the economy, our present challenges loom at least as large as at any other time during our post independence existence. A peculiar combination of world circumstances, natural disasters, and the legacy from insane commercial borrowing and crony political spending has resulted now in national problems of unprecedented scale and circumference.

Now it is clear that the straightened economic circumstances in which this country finds itself is owed in part to the transgressions of rich club nations but it is equally true that our problems have been terribly exacerbated by local sins, by the rot of the pre-2008 era. Exhibit one is of course the poisoned chalice of that $1 billion superbond. That is what is raiding our recurrent revenues, that is what is crippling our cash flow, stifling our fiscal place, and ripping from our hands the tools to deliver the goods and services to the people of this country. But today is Independence Day and I shall not rant, for this is the day when we give thanks for our wonderful country, our wonderful democracy.”

And in that vein perhaps ten year old Azizi Hoy said it better than the politicians.

Azizi Hoy Reciting Poem,
“Join me in celebrating our priceless inheritance that is our jewel. A land of tranquillity, enchanting beauty, a land of freedom. But that freedom did not come overnight. It came with much sacrifice so it is my honour to take you along this colourful path of red, white, and blue – a story of struggle and triumph. This is our tale, Belize, this is our legacy.”

The official ceremony in Belmopan was followed by a fairly massive parade which we’ll show you highlights of later. But for the first time in memory there was no parade in Belize City – and that’s because of rain, buckets of it which poured down on the city all through Monday morning!

Though initially, the decision was taken to simply postpone the parade, the rain continued and that combined with the flooded streets and the ongoing swine flu scare convinced decision makers to cancel the parade. The official ceremonies were still held – though they had to be delayed until the afternoon in the memorial park. Another event that took buckets of rain was the carnival, but that carried on and we’ll show you highlights later plus we’ll tell you who won the big prizes.